PRIORITY POSITIONS of Turkmenistan at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Turkmenistan regards the 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly as an important stage in international efforts to strengthen peace and stability. In the context of a complex international situation characterized by multiple challenges and declining levels of trust, the engagement of the potential of the United Nations, its political and diplomatic instruments and moral authority, acquires particular relevance for the search for mutually acceptable solutions and for ensuring universal and comprehensive security.

Turkmenistan firmly upholds the principle of the integrity of security and the interconnection of its various aspects. Our country believes that political or military security cannot be long-term and complete without ensuring economic, energy, food and environmental security. In its foreign policy, Turkmenistan consistently adheres to the principles of permanent neutrality and non-interference, as well as a strong commitment to the peaceful political and diplomatic settlement of international conflicts.

Turkmenistan is a member of a number of subsidiary bodies of the United Nations – in particular, the UN Commission on Population and Development, the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, the Commission for Social Development, the Executive Board of UN-Women, the Executive Board of UNICEF and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) – and will use its accumulated experience in promoting the Organization’s key initiatives. During the forthcoming General Assembly session, our country will continue contributing to the promotion of international initiatives of the President of Turkmenistan on key global and regional issues.

Peace and Security

Turkmenistan, consistently pursuing its course of strengthening international peace and security, will make active efforts to promote its initiatives within the framework of the United Nations. Our country proceeds from the fact that the policy of positive neutrality, built on trust and respect, is an effective tool for strengthening stability, preventing conflicts, and promoting international cooperation.

Turkmenistan’s peacekeeping efforts remain based on the inviolable principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the norms of international law recognized by the international community, which provide a reliable basis for the just and peaceful settlement of any international disputes.

In accordance with United Nations General Assembly resolution 79/274 “Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan”, our country intends to take an actively part in the development of the Guidance for upholding and implementing the principles of neutrality for peace and security, as well as to initiate consultations on the establishment in Turkmenistan the Peace Mediation Chamber under the auspices of the United Nations, which will make it possible to use more effectively the potential of neutral states for peaceful negotiations and conflict settlement.

Turkmenistan will organize in December 2025 in Ashgabat the International Forum of Peace and Trust, devoted to the International Year of Peace and Trust, 2025, the International Day of Neutrality and the 30th anniversary of the Permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan. Our country will use the forum’s platform to strengthen multilateral cooperation, including within the framework of the Group of Friends of Neutrality, with the holding of another high-level meeting.

For the first time, the agenda of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly will include the item “Neutrality for Peace and Security”, which creates new opportunities. In this regard, Turkmenistan will submit for consideration a draft resolution “The role and importance of a policy of neutrality in maintaining and strengthening international peace, security and the sustainable development” in the first half of 2026, based on the resolution previously adopted in 2020.

Our country will propose hosting in Ashgabat the International Forum “Central Asia – a Zone of Peaceful Coexistence” under the auspices of the United Nations, UNESCO and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, with the participation of countries of the region, international experts and institutions.

Turkmenistan will continue to support the activities of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, deepening cooperation with its programme offices in Malaga. Our country will expand practical interaction based on the 2024 Technical Guidelines on Protecting Critical Infrastructure from Terrorist Attacks. Building on consultations with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), Turkmenistan will initiate the establishment in Ashgabat of a permanent UNOCT Programme Office on Early Warning of Terrorism, which will operate on a global scale, relying on the experience of the early warning network in Central Asia.

Our country will continue its interaction with UN structures in the field of peacekeeping, considering the possibilities of providing resources, military and civilian personnel to assist the effective work of peacekeeping operations.

Turkmenistan will submit for consideration a draft resolution on the proclamation of the International Day of Mediation, which will emphasize the importance of diplomacy and neutral platforms in preventing and settling conflicts. This day will symbolize the need for active involvement of the international community in the resolution of disputes through dialogue, mediation and cooperation, while underlining the value of neutrality as a tool to ensure justice and peaceful coexistence.

Our country will initiate the holding of the World Summit on the issues of the culture of peace, trust and mutual respect among peoples under the auspices of the United Nations. This summit is intended to become an important event in the global diplomatic calendar, aimed at strengthening mutual understanding and trust among states, cultures and peoples. A key task of the summit will be to develop and adopt of a global Code of International Trust, which will serve as a universal foundation for building relations between countries on the principles of equality, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, cooperation and joint resolutions to global challenges.

Sustainable Development, Transport and Energy

Turkmenistan attaches special importance to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and strengthening of global economic, transport and energy connectivity. Our country will actively promote initiatives aimed at forming a fair, balanced and inclusive international development system.

Turkmenistan will initiate the proclamation of the United Nations Decade for Sustainable Transport (2026–2035), by submitting an appropriate draft resolution. This step will consolidate the international efforts to develop transport corridors, enhance their resilience and ensure accessibility for all countries, including landlocked developing states.

Our country intends to advance the further development of the Ashgabat Process on Transport, creating on its basis an effective platform for coordinating international and regional transport initiatives. This will synchronize projects and accelerate the establishment of a sustainable global transport architecture.

Turkmenistan will submit to the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly the draft resolution “The pivotal role of reliable and stable energy connectivity in ensuring sustainable development” within the framework of the implementation of resolution 78/149 adopted on 19 December 2023 at the initiative of Turkmenistan.
The implementation of this initiative will promote transparent and reliable energy flows, as well as the integration of renewable energy sources into the global system.

Turkmenistan intends to advance the initiative of establishing a World Platform for Digital Integration under the auspices of the United Nations, based on the principles of equality, trust and inadmissibility of the use of information and communication technologies to the detriment of peace, security and sustainable development.

Environment, Climate and Water Resources

Turkmenistan attaches priority to the development of comprehensive measures to combat climate change, land degradation and the depletion of water resources. Our country will advance initiatives aimed at preserving ecosystems, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources and the formation of international mechanisms for environmental protection.

Turkmenistan will put forward the initiative on establishing a Regional Centre to Combat Desertification for the Central Asian countries. This centre, functioning with the support of relevant UN structures, will become an important platform for coordinating the regional states efforts in protecting land resources, restoring ecosystem and preventing soil degradation. Turkmenistan proceeds from the view that the establishment of such a centre will contribute to consolidating regional potential, strengthening cooperation in the field of environmental protection, and will also make a significant contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Our country will promote the development and adoption of United Nations Regional Conventions on the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers basins. These international legal documents will serve as a solid foundation for the elaboration of coordinated approaches and mechanisms in the field of sustainable, fair and effective management of transboundary water resources in Central Asia. Turkmenistan is convinced that the adoption of these documents will contribute not only to strengthening regional environmental and food security, but also will become an important step towards building a long-term architecture of peace, stability and sustainable development in Central Asia.

Together with the Central Asian countries, Turkmenistan intends to consistently and systematically continue work on the elaboration of the main goals and objectives of the United Nations Special Programme for the Aral Sea Basin in the framework of the implementation of resolution 79/8 of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) “Consideration of the modalities of establishing a United Nations special programme for the Aral Sea Basin” of 19 May 2023. This programme will be aimed at the comprehensively addressing the environmental, social and humanitarian problems of the Aral Sea region.

Our country will further advance the Caspian Environmental Initiative, announced by the President of Turkmenistan at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, which will serve as an international platform for the preservation of the Caspian Sea ecosystem. An important step in this direction will be the Second Caspian Environmental Forum, proposed to be held in 2026.

Turkmenistan will also continue work on the establishment of a specialized structure – the Regional Centre for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia. Its activities will be aimed at the introduction of new technologies for adaptation to climate change and mitigation of its consequences, as well as the development of international cooperation in the field of environmental innovations.

Humanitarian Cooperation

Turkmenistan considers humanitarian cooperation as an important element in strengthening trust and mutual understanding between peoples. Our country will initiate and support projects that promote the development of human potential, intercultural dialogue and the advancement of human rights.

Turkmenistan will initiate the holding of international consultations “Women, Peace and Security” on the basis of the Central Asian Women’s Dialogue. This format will make it possible to strengthen the role of women in peacebuilding processes and regional cooperation.

Our country will promote the Central Asian Youth Dialogue, expanding its activities within the framework of the global agenda “Youth, Peace and Security”. Special attention will be paid to the involvement of youth in decision-making processes and peacebuilding initiatives.

Our country will submit to the UN the initiative on the proclamation of the International Day of Multilingual Diplomacy. This initiative is aimed at strengthening trust, mutual understanding and dialogue between peoples through respect for linguistic and cultural diversity.

Turkmenistan will initiate the establishment in Ashgabat of a Regional Platform for Youth Peacebuilding. This Centre will serve as an international educational and dialogue platform focused on training of young specialists in the field of diplomacy, peacebuilding and the promotion of a culture of tolerance.

Our country intends to submit to the General Assembly a draft resolution “The Cultural Heritage of the Great Silk Road as a Factor of Peace and Development”, emphasizing the significance of historical and cultural heritage as the foundation of trust, mutual understanding and cooperation between peoples. This document will contribute to strengthening an atmosphere of friendship and good neighborliness, as well as to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Our country will continue to promote initiatives in the field of cultural, exhibition and tourism activities, aimed at promoting national heritage, exchanging cultural achievements and strengthening humanitarian ties.

International Law and Cooperation with the United Nations

Turkmenistan invariably advocates strengthening the rule of international law and enhancing the central role of the United Nations in international affairs. Our country will promote initiatives aimed at improving the international legal framework and strengthening the effectiveness of the work of the main bodies of the Organization.

Turkmenistan will propose declaring 2028 as the Year of International Law, which will mark an important step in strengthening the international legal foundations of peace and cooperation. This initiative will also highlight the role of law in reinforcing international stability and upholding the supremacy of the United Nations Charter.

Turkmenistan will continue to actively participate in the activities of the United Nations, including as a member of ECOSOC for the years 2026–2028, as well as within key commissions and bodies. Our country will undertake a campaign for election to the UN Security Council as a
non-permanent member for the years 2031–2032 and to other elective posts, thereby confirming its commitment to active multilateral engagement.

Turkmenistan, being the depository of the Treaty on a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Central Asia and a party to the main treaties in the field of nuclear disarmament, will consistently uphold the principles of non-proliferation. Our country intends to actively participate in the Review Conference of the NPT and other forums, to promote the objectives of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and to continue studying the issue of possible accession to it.

Conclusion

At the 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly, Turkmenistan will promote a holistic approach to security and sustainable development, based on the principles of neutrality, trust and multilateral cooperation. Our country reaffirms its readiness for constructive interaction with all member states and UN structures for the sake of achieving universal peace, security and prosperity.